Columbia’s adult spelling bee is naughty, fun and a fundraiser. Think you can win?
Spelling bees aren’t just for kids.
There’s one in Columbia that’s exclusively for adults.
On Feb. 1, Columbia Spells is set to return for the sixth year, as grown-ups will participate in the type of event usually reserved for tweens.
And there are still openings for participants who want to turn back the clock and show off their spelling expertise.
Columbia Spells is similar in format to the typical grade school competition and the popular Scripps National Spelling Bee. Like that event, Columbia Spells’ competitors will be provided the word’s definition, part of speech, origin and pronunciations.
But there are some things that set it apart.
Participants must be 21 or older, and alcoholic drinks will be available at the bee, held at Columbia Children’s Theatre in Richland Mall.
Additionally, the event is described as “buzzing with words that would not have been used in your 5th grade spelling bee,” according to a news release. This year’s word list was described in the release as interesting, difficult and edgy.
Some past words that have appeared in the competition include zit, snafu, and schadenfreude — selections that might have more relevance to an adult than the typical 12-year-old.
“People have fun because it’s naughty,” Executive Director Larry Hembree said in an interview with The State. “Most of the words are just hard, but there are some that are about sex, or raunchy.”
Ironically, the adults-only spelling bee serves as a fundraiser for Columbia Children’s Theatre. Money raised will go to operating the theatre, Hembree said.
“It is the Children’s Theatre, but adults support it,” Hembree said. “That’s why we like to hold events for adults.”
Participants will be on teams of three, rather than competing individually. Teams will usually have “ridiculous names,” and they dress up in theme costumes that have attitude, Hembree said. Those team uniforms will be one of several categories audience members will judge as part of the competitions within the spelling bee.
There is also a People’s Choice Award, decided on from “audience contributions and, usually, bribes,” it said in the release.
For a $100 registration fee, teams will compete in a round-by-round event, and will be eliminated if they misspell three words in a particular round.
But they can return to the competition with a buyback from the audience, or from their own pockets.
As the teams are whittled down, the event will culminate in a head-to-head final round. The top three teams will get trophies, and the winners secure bragging rights, in addition to the chance to defend their title the next year, Hembree said.
One losing team will also be asked back as a consolation prize.
Hembree said he hopes to have at least 15 teams in the field, and already has several entrants.
“We do have several obnoxious teams already registered (nerdy librarians, lawyers, overly competitive women who are single) who say they will win this year,” Hembree said on Facebook. “Personally, I would love to see some teams made up of divorced couples, former beauty contestants who lost, people on their first Bumble date, and people who only use mopeds as as a form of transportation.”
Columbia Spells is not lacking in credibility. Three-time National Spelling Bee competitor and actor Jonathan Monk will serve as the official enunciator, announcing words and definitions “properly and with passion,” according to the release.
And for any team that wants their word used in a sentence, Hembree said special examples that might cause some blushing have been made up.
Tickets are available at columbiachildrenstheatre.com for $15 apiece, and there will be a cash bar and appetizers available. Happy hour will be held at 6 p.m. and the spelling bee will begin at 7 p.m.
Columbia Spells
What: Adult spelling bee that is a fundraiser for Columbia Children’s Theatre
When: Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. (happy hour starts at 6 p.m.)
Where: 3400 Forest Drive in the Richland Mall (right next to Barnes & Noble)
Participants: Teams of three, registration is $100
Tickets: $15 per person (appetizers will be available and there is a cash bar)
Website: columbiachildrenstheatre.com
